Crossword Dictionary
insolent
insolent, insolents - n
an extremely rude person
synonyms
arch, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cheeky, cocksure, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impudent, nervy, sassy, saucy, wise
in a sentence
an appallingly insolent reply to a reasonable request
Insolent behavior will not be tolerated.
His worst behavior is being insolent and arrogant with the school counselor.
etymology
late 14c., "contemptuous, arrogant, showing haughty disregard of others," from Latin insolentem (nominative insolens) "arrogant, immoderate," also "unaccustomed, unwonted," literally "unusual, unfamiliar," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + solentem, present participle of solere "be accustomed, be used to; cohabit with," from Proto-Italic *sol-e-.
This is of uncertain origin. An old guess connects it to the source of Latin sodalis "close companion," and suescere"become used to," but de Vaan rejects this on phonetic grounds. Another guess connects it to the source of Latin solum"ground," with a possible sense shift from "inhabit" to "be accustomed to." Or it might be from PIE root *sel- (1) "human settlement" (source also of Old Church Slavonic selo "courtyard, village," Russian selo "village," Old English sele, Old High German sal "hall, house"). Meaning "contemptuous of rightful authority" is from 1670s. Related: Insolently.